Pumping device with collapsible nozzle

ABSTRACT

There are provided a pumping device for dispensing the contents contained in a container body by pressing a pressurizing button. The pumping device comprises a nozzle which is pivotable by a hinge installed at the nozzle and the pressurizing button. The pressurizing button comprises: a pressing plate, a wall extended downward from the pressing plate, and a nozzle receiving groove formed on the wall and for receiving the nozzle when it is in a closed position. In accordance with the present invention, since the nozzle is foldable, the pumping device is conveniently transported and distributed, and since the nozzle is inserted into the nozzle receiving groove and is not exposed outside, the nozzle is prevented from being unintentionally in an open position by an unnecessary external force.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pumping device which is used to dispense the contents contained in a container body when a pressurizing button is pressed and, more particularly, to a pumping device including a foldable nozzle which is inserted into a nozzle receiving groove formed in a pressurizing button when the nozzle is in a closed position, so that the nozzle is prevented from being in an open position by an unnecessary external force.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, to store or distribute the contents, such as liquid-type, paste-type or gel-type contents, the contents are contained in a container using a pumping device. Specially, the contents having viscosity, such as cream, lotion, rinse, shampoo, hair gel and the like, are usually contained in a pressurization-type pumping device by which the contents are pumped when a pressurizing button is pressed.

In a pressurization-type pumping device, when a pressurizing button is pressed by a user, the contents of the container are pumped by a pressurizing force, to be dispensed, in a predetermined amount, through a nozzle. FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate conventional pressurization-type pumping devices.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the pumping device generally comprises: a container body 10 for containing the contents; a pumping unit 20 positioned at an upper part of the container body 10, for sucking/pumping the contents by a pressurizing force; and a pressurizing button 30 for providing the pressurizing force to the pumping unit 20 and including a nozzle 35 for discharging the contents. The structure of the pumping unit 20 has been applied to the products as the relevant techniques have been variously attempted.

FIG. 2 illustrates the conventional structure of the pumping unit 20 which is most generally used.

The operation of the pumping unit 20 will be briefly described as follows:

When a user presses the pressurizing button 30 using his/her hand, a pressurizing force is transferred to a piston member 24, so that an elastic member 23 is shrunken. Then, the contents filling a cylinder 21 are moved up, along a guide tube 25, so as to be dispensed, in a predetermined amount, through the nozzle 35.

When the pressurizing force is removed, the piston member 24 is moved up by the elasticity of the elastic member 23 and sucks the contents of the container body 10, so that the cylinder 21 is filled with the contents. In FIG. 2, reference number 22 is used to indicate a ball valve for closing an opening of the cylinder 21, for preventing the contents filling the cylinder 21 from moving down when the pressurizing button 30 is pressed. Reference number 29 indicates a suction tube operatively connected to the cylinder 22, for sucking the contents contained in the container body 10.

The aforementioned pressurization-type pumping device has the advantage in that the contents are easily dispensed, in a predetermined amount, by pressing the pressurizing button 30.

However, in the conventional pumping device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the nozzle 35 is formed integrally with the pressurizing button 30 and is fixedly protruded horizontally, it needs much space upon distribution. Moreover, since the conventional pumping device has no special locking unit though the nozzle 35 is operatively connected to the guiding tube 25, when an unnecessary force is applied to the pumping device which is transported or stored and the pressurizing button 30 is pressed, the contents are unintentionally released to be wasted or any other foreign substance is likely to enter through the nozzle 35. Therefore, a finish cap is additionally used to prevent the contents from being unintentionally released and to prevent any foreign substance from entering into the container. However, in this case, the finish cap which is additionally formed increases the cost and causes the inconvenience of opening and closing the finish cap in use.

Therefore, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 281556 provides a pumping device to prevent the contents from being unintentionally released, prevent any foreign substance from entering, and to reduce a space needed upon distribution. For these purpose, the pumping device is realized by using a nozzle 35 which is foldable by a hinge 40, wherein an end of the nozzle 35 is supported at a top side 20 a of a pumping unit 20, as shown in FIG. 3.

However, in the pumping device of the aforementioned prior art, as illustrated in FIG. 3, since the nozzle 35 is exposed outside, it is likely to be easily in an open position.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device which includes a foldable nozzle to be inserted into a nozzle receiving groove formed in a pressurizing button so that the nozzle is not exposed outside after it is in a closed position, and which is conveniently transported and distributed and has improved usability by preventing the nozzle from being in an open position by an unnecessary external force.

Technical Solution

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by a pumping device including a foldable nozzle, which comprises a container body for containing the contents, a pumping unit positioned inside the container body and for sucking/pumping the contents, and a pressurizing button for providing a pressurizing force to the pumping unit and including a nozzle for discharging the contents, wherein a hinge member is installed in the nozzle and the pressurizing button so that the nozzle is foldable, characterized in that the pressurizing button comprises: a pressing plate, a wall extended downward from the pressing plate, and a nozzle receiving groove formed on the wall and for receiving the nozzle when it is in a closed position.

Further, the pumping unit may comprise a fixing cap having an outer cylindrical body and an inner cylindrical body, wherein a guide groove for receiving the wall of the pressurizing button is formed between the outer cylindrical body and the inner cylindrical body.

Further, when the nozzle is in a closed position, the pressurizing button is inactivated with respect to its pressing operation, so that the contents are prevented from being unintentionally released, and when the nozzle is in an open position, the pressurizing button is activated with respect to its pressing operation, so that the contents are discharged. For example, when the nozzle is in the closed position, an end of the nozzle may be caught by a top side of a fixing cap of the pumping unit so that the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is prevented. Alternatively, the pressing operation of the pressurizing button may be prevented by a projection artificially formed at the end of the nozzle.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

In accordance with the pumping device of the present invention, since the nozzle is foldable, it is conveniently transported and distributed. Furthermore, when the nozzle is in the closed position, since the nozzle is inserted into the nozzle receiving groove, it is not exposed outward so that it is prevented from being unintentionally in the open position by an unnecessary external force. Furthermore, since the nozzle is in the closed position, the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is inactivated, so that the contents are prevented from being unintentionally released by the unnecessary external force when it is transported or stored.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first conventional pressurization-type pumping device;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first conventional pressurization-type pumping device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second conventional pressurization-type pumping device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pumping device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the pumping device of FIG. 4 being operated, in which FIG. 5 illustrates the pumping device being pressed and FIG. 6 illustrates the pumping device being released from a pressurizing force;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of parts of constituents of a pumping unit of the pumping device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of a pressurizing button of the pumping device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 4, illustrating a nozzle being in a closed position; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the constitution of a pumping device according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 11 illustrates a nozzle being in an open position and FIG. 12 illustrates the nozzle being in a closed position.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pumping device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the pumping device of FIG. 4 being operated, in which FIG. 5 illustrates the pumping device being pressed and FIG. 6 illustrates the pumping device being released from a pressurizing force. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of parts of constituents of a pumping unit of the pumping device of FIG. 4.

With reference to FIGS. 4 through 7, the pumping device according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: a container body 100 for containing the contents; a pumping unit 200 positioned at a upper part of the container body 100 and sucking/pumping the contents; and a pressurizing button 300 for providing a pressurizing force to the pumping unit 200 and including a nozzle 350 for discharging the contents.

The container body 100 has a general hollow structure for containing the contents, such as liquid-type, paste-type, gel-type contents and the like. A material of the container body 100 may use glass, metal, plastic and others. Preferably, when plastic is used as the material of the container body, it can be formed in various shapes, adding an aesthetic feeling.

The pumping unit 200 receives the pressurizing force transferred from the pressurizing button 300, to suck the contents contained in the container body 100 and to pump the contents in a predetermined amount. Therefore, any pumping unit having the structure capable of performing these functions will be included within the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pumping unit 200 comprises: a cylinder 210; a ball valve 220 positioned at an opening of a lower end of the cylinder 210; an elastic member 230 safely placed on the ball valve 220; a piston member 240 closely secured to an upper part of the elastic member 230 and transferring the pressurizing force transferred from the pressurizing button 300 to the elastic member 230; a guide pipe 250 receiving an upper side of the piston member 240 and providing a channel for allowing the sucked contents; a cut-off valve 260 securely fitted into an inner wall of the cylinder 210; a middle cap 270 securely combined with the upper part of the cylinder 210 and preventing the piston member 240 and the guide tube 250 and the like from separating upward; a fixing cap 280 combined with an opening 120 of the container body 100 when the middle cap 270 is insertedly installed inside; and a suction tube 290 operatively connected to the lower end of the cylinder 210 and sucking the contents of the container body 100. In the drawings, reference number 295 indicates a sealing ring having elasticity.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, the piston member 240 comprises: a lift bar 241 moving up and down within the guide tube 250; and a head part 242 in a cup shape extended integrally from a lower end of the lift bar 241 and secured to the elastic member 230. Further, the lift bar 241 has the structure in that three ribs 241 a are connected to one another about a central shaft 241 b, and a passage 241 c allowing the contents to pass through is formed between the adjacent ribs 241 a.

A top side of the piston member 240 is inserted into the guide tube 250 and a lower side thereof is fitted into the cut-off valve 260. The head part 242 of the piston member 240 is exposed downward from the cut-off valve 260. Then, when the pressurizing button 300 is pressed, the piston member 240 moves down so that the head part 242 thereof is spaced apart from the cut-off valve 260, to provide a passage F through which the contents move upward (FIG. 5). However, when the pressurizing force applied to the pressurizing button 300 is removed, the head part 242 is moved up by the elasticity of the elastic member 230 and is secured to the cut-off valve 260, so that the contents are interrupted from moving upward (FIG. 6).

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 5, when a user presses the pressurizing button 300, using his/her hand, the pressurizing force is transferred to the piston member 240 so that the elastic member 23 is shrunken.

Then, the head part 242 of the piston member 240 is spaced apart from the cut-off valve 260, so that the passage F is provided. The contents fills the cylinder 210 through the passage F, moves up, along the guide tube 250, through the passage 241 c formed between the ribs 241 a, and are discharged through the nozzle 350, in the predetermined amount.

When the pressurizing button 300 is pressed, since the contents filling the cylinder 210 is interrupted by the ball valve 220 positioned at the lower end of the cylinder 210, the contents do not flow backward. During the pressurizing process, the amount of the contents being dispensed is determined by the dimensions (diameter and length) of the cylinder 210 and the guide tube 250. Further, the amount of the contents being dispensed may be determined by the pressurizing force. Specifically, when the pressurizing force is less, the dispensation amount of the contents decreases, and when the pressurizing force is greater, the dispensation amount of the contents increases. When the pressurizing force is removed, the piston member 240 is moved up by the elasticity of the elastic member 230 and therefore, a sucking force is generated, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The sucking force opens the ball valve 220 and sucks the contents of the container body 100 through the suction tube 290, thereby filling the cylinder 210 with the contents.

As described above, the structure and operative principles of the pumping unit 200 have been described with reference to the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the pumping unit 200 includes a conventional structure thereof.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of the pressurizing button of the pumping device of FIG. 4.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the pressurizing button 300 has at least one or more nozzles 350. The nozzle 350 is an independent member from the pressurizing button 300 and is connected to the pressurizing button 300 so as to be pivotable.

Specifically, a hinge member 400 is installed at the nozzle 350 and the pressurizing button 300. The nozzle 350 is attachably and detachably connected to the pressurizing button 300 so as to be pivoltable by the hinge member 400.

The nozzle 350 is freely in a closed position by the folding movement. Therefore, when the hinge member has the structure of allowing the nozzle to be freely in the closed position, such hinge member can be used for the present invention.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the hinge member 400 comprises a hinge shaft 420 formed at the nozzle 350 so as to protrude; and a hinge aperture 440 formed on the pressurizing button 300 so that the hinge shaft 420 is pivotably fitted into the hinge aperture 440.

However, the hinge aperture 440 may be formed at the nozzle 350 and the hinge shaft 420 being inserted into the hinge aperture 440 may be formed at the pressurizing button 300.

In the present application, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pressurizing button 300 comprises: a pressing plate 310; a cylindrical wall 320 extended downward from the pressing plate 310; and an outflow tube 330 extended downward from the center of the pressing plate 310 so as to have a vertical passage 335 through which the contents are discharged.

The outflow tube 330 is fitted into the guide tube 250 of the pumping unit 200 r to be connected together. By the connection of the outflow tube 330 and the guide tube 250, the passage of allowing the flow of the contents is formed, and the pressurizing button 300 is connected to the pumping unit 200 so as not be separated from the pumping unit 200.

In the pressing plate 310, a horizontal passage 315 is formed to be operatively connected to the vertical passage 335. The horizontal passage 315 is operatively connected to a discharging passage 355 (FIG. 5) formed in the nozzle 350 when the nozzle 350 is in an open position. Further, in the wall 320, a nozzle receiving groove 325 is formed to prevent the nozzle 350 from being exposed when the nozzle 350 is in the closed position.

The pressurizing button 300 may include a stopper 340 to prevent the nozzle 320 from being excessively deeply inserted into the nozzle receiving groove 325.

As illustrated, the stopper 340 is formed integrally with a bottom side of the pressing plate 310. Further, preferably, the nozzle 350 may include a raise R, to easily position the nozzle 350 inserted into the nozzle receiving groove 325 so as to be in the open position, using a user's thumb or finger.

Then, when a finger receiving groove 358 is formed at each of the sides of the nozzle 350, the nozzle 350 is more easily in the open position.

The pressurizing button 300 having the above constitution provides a pressurizing surface and functions as a cap of the pumping device. Further, as the nozzle 350 is inserted into the nozzle receiving groove 325 formed on the wall 320, the nozzle 350 is maximally prevented from being exposed and therefore the nozzle 350 is prevented from being unintentionally in the open position to the contrary of a users purpose.

Further, in the embodiment, the fixing cap 280 of the pumping unit 200 has an outer cylindrical body 281 and an inner cylindrical body 283. A guide groove 282 is formed between the outer cylindrical body 281 and the inner cylindrical body 283. The wall 320 of the pressurizing button 300 is inserted into the guide groove 282. The inner cylindrical body 283 includes a center maintaining aperture 283 a into which the outflow tube 330 of the pressurizing button 300 is inserted so as to be guided vertically.

The lower end of the outer cylindrical body 281 is extended integrally with the lower end of the inner cylindrical body 283.

When the nozzle 350 is in the open position and the pressurizing button 300 is pressed, the wall 320 of the pressurizing button 300 is inserted into the guide groove 280 formed in the fixing cap 280 and slides vertically, the contents, which are moved up along the guide tube 250, pass through the vertical passage 335 and the horizontal passage 315 and are discharged through the discharging passage 355 (FIG. 5).

Further, the fixing cap 280 is fixedly combined with the opening 120 of the container body 100. Since a screw thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical body 283 of the fixing cap 280 and a screw thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the opening 120 of the container body 100, the fixing cap 280 and the container body 100 are fixedly combined with together by the screw threads. However, the fixing cap 280 and the container body 100 may be fixedly bonded together by an adhesive.

The accompanying drawings show the fixing cap 280 and the container body 100 being fixedly combined by the screw threads.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 4, illustrating the nozzle being in the closed position.

With reference to FIG. 10, in the pumping device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the contents are interrupted from being unintentionally released when the nozzle 350 is in the closed position. Then, the interruption of unintentional release of the contents is realized by the constitution of inactivating the pressing operation of the pressurizing button 300. Specifically, when the nozzle 350 is in the closed position, the nozzle 350 is caught by the top sides 281-1 and 283-1 of the fixing cap 280, so that the pressurizing button 300 is prevented from being pressed.

For example, after the nozzle 350 is in the closed position and inserted into the nozzle receiving groove 325, when an end 350 a of the nozzle 350 contacts with the top side 281-1 of the outer cylindrical body 281 or the top side 283-1 of the inner cylindrical body 283, the pressing operation of the pressurizing button 300 is prevented. Further, when any part of the raise R formed on the nozzle 350 contacts with the top side 281-1 of the outer cylindrical body 281, the pressing operation of the pressurizing button 300 is prevented.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the constitution of a pumping device according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 11 illustrates a nozzle 350 being in the open position and FIG. 12 illustrates the nozzle 350 being in the closed position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the nozzle 350 may include a projection 359 formed at an end of the nozzle 350. The projection 359 makes it easy to hold the nozzle 350 inserted into a nozzle receiving groove 325 and to position the nozzle 350 so as to be in the open position, using a user's thumb or finger. The projection 359 may be formed integrally with the nozzle 350 or it may be formed separately from the nozzle 350 and bonded to the nozzle 350. Further, when the nozzle 350 is in the closed position and a pressurizing button 300 is pressed, the projection 359 contacts with a top side 2811 of an outer cylindrical body 281. Therefore, the projection 359 has the function of inactivating the pressing operation of the pressurizing button 300.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the pumping device in accordance with the present invention is used for dispensing the contents contained in a container, such as liquid-type, paste-type, gel-type contents and the like. The contents include soap, medicine, cosmetics or others. The pumping device can be effectively used for dispensing the contents having viscosity, such as cream, lotion, rinse, shampoo, hair gel and the like, by using the pumping device with the foldable nozzle. 

1. A pumping device including a foldable nozzle, which comprises: a container body for containing the contents, a pumping unit positioned inside the container body and sucking/pumping the contents, and a pressurizing button providing a pressurizing force to the pumping unit and including a nozzle discharging the contents, wherein a hinge member is installed at the nozzle and the pressurizing button so that the nozzle is foldable, characterized by the pressurizing button comprising: a pressing plate, a wall extended downward from the pressing plate, and a nozzle receiving groove formed on the wall and receiving the nozzle being in a closed position.
 2. The pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the pumping unit comprises: a fixing cap having an outer cylindrical body, an inner cylindrical body, and a guide groove formed between the outer cylindrical body and the inner cylindrical body, wherein the wall of the pressurizing button is inserted into the guide groove.
 3. The pumping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the nozzle is in the closed position, the pressurizing button is prevented from being pressed so that the contents are interrupted from being unintentionally released, and when the nozzle is in an open position, the pressurizing button is capable of being pressed so that the contents are discharged.
 4. The pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a raise (R).
 5. The pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a finger receiving groove.
 6. The pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing button comprises: a stopper to prevent the nozzle from being excessively deeply inserted into the nozzle receiving groove.
 7. The pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises: a projection formed at an end of the nozzle.
 8. The pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge member comprises: a hinge shaft formed at the nozzle, and a hinge aperture formed at the pressurizing button.
 9. The pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge member comprises: a hinge aperture formed at the nozzle, and a hinge shaft formed at the pressurizing button.
 10. The pumping device according to claim 3, wherein, when the nozzle is in the closed position, an end of the nozzle is caught by a top side of the outer cylindrical body or a top side of the inner cylindrical body, so that the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is prevented.
 11. The pumping device according to claim 3, wherein, when the nozzle comprises the raise (R) and is in the closed position, the raise (R) is caught by the top side of the outer cylindrical body, so that the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is prevented.
 12. The pumping device according to claim 3, wherein, when the nozzle comprises the projection formed at its end and is in the closed position, the projection is caught by the top side of the outer cylindrical body, so that the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is prevented.
 13. The pumping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the nozzle is in the closed position, the pressurizing button is prevented from being pressed so that the contents are interrupted from being unintentionally released, and when the nozzle is in an open position, the pressurizing button is capable of being pressed so that the contents are discharged.
 14. The pumping device according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle comprises a raise (R).
 15. The pumping device according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle comprises a finger receiving groove.
 16. The pumping device according to claim 2, wherein the pressurizing button comprises: a stopper to prevent the nozzle from being excessively deeply inserted into the nozzle receiving groove.
 17. The pumping device according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle comprises: a projection formed at an end of the nozzle.
 18. The pumping device according to claim 13, wherein, when the nozzle is in the closed position, an end of the nozzle is caught by a top side of the outer cylindrical body or a top side of the inner cylindrical body, so that the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is prevented.
 19. The pumping device according to claim 13, wherein, when the nozzle comprises the raise (R) and is in the closed position, the raise (R) is caught by the top side of the outer cylindrical body, so that the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is prevented.
 20. The pumping device according to claim 13, wherein, when the nozzle comprises the projection formed at its end and is in the closed position, the projection is caught by the top side of the outer cylindrical body, so that the pressing operation of the pressurizing button is prevented. 